Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan) Tours

Part of the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty, this 10th-century park is one of China’s oldest, largest, and most important ancient imperial gardens. Situated in the center of Beijing, the 171-acre (69-hectare) garden features a temple, bell and drum towers, a white pagoda, pavilions, lakes, and the intricate Nine-Dragon Wall.

The Basics

Visiting Beihai Park is akin to taking a crash course in Imperial Chinese history and culture, and with its central location in the city’s Xicheng District, it’s easy to visit. Though the park is no longer part of the Imperial City, a boat ride here is often included in tours of the Palace Museum. Combine your visit to the park with a tour of the Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, or Jingshan Park, or capture a memorable photo by donning a traditional Hanfu costume during a guided walk through the gardens.

Things to Know Before You Go

Beihai Park is a must-visit for history buffs, gardeners, and families. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.Nearly all of Beihai Park is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the hill. Give yourself about two hours to tour the park’s gardens and attractions.

How to Get There

Beihai Park is located next to the Forbidden City and is easily accessible by public transportation. Take one of several public buses to Beihai or Beihai Beimen, or take subway Line 6 to Beihai Bei and leave through Exit B.

When to Get There

The park is open daily throughout the year, with slightly shorter hours during the winter (November to March). Plan to visit on a weekday morning, when the gardens and attractions are less crowded, and avoid visiting on Chinese national holidays.

The White Dagoba

One of the park’s many unique features is a Tibetan dagoba, or shrine, built in 1651 by the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty to demonstrate a desire for unification among China’s many ethnic groups. The shrine has since been twice destroyed and rebuilt. Perched atop the highest point in the park, it offers some of the best panoramic views of the surroundings.

Walk around Beijing’s imperial parks and 'hutongs' (old quarters) on this private 7-hour tour. Climb Jingshan Hill for panoramas over the Forbidden City, and explore the imperial gardens of Beihai Park. Ride a boat here (April to November only), and savor an imperial-style lunch at Beihai’s Fangshan restaurant. Plus, visit a family home on a guided stroll around the hutongs, and watch a drum-beating ceremony at the Drum Tower. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

If you’ve got limited time in Beijing, opt to see the city your way on a private shore excursion—guaranteed to provide a comprehensive introduction to China’s capital. Choose from recommended attractions that include Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), Temple of Heaven (Tian tan), and Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), and relax as you’re transported with your chosen attractions with ease.

Delve into Beijing’s imperial highlights, including skip-the-line access to the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), on this private 8-hour tour. Visit Tiananmen Square and Tiananmen Gate Tower, and enjoy fast-track entry to the Palace Museum to tour its must-sees and other, lesser-known treasures. Explore royal Jingshan Park, ride a boat around Beihai Park, and enjoy lunch at the Royal Icehouse Restaurant, where ice was housed for China’s emperors. Central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Beijing is one of the world’s busiest urban centers, but the Chinese capital also has some beautiful green spaces to escape to. This 2-hour private walking tour explores two of Beijing’s imperial gardens, Jingshan (Coal Hill) Park and Beihai Park, including landmarks such as Five Dragon Pavilion, Jade Island, and Nine Dragon Screen.

Travel to Beihai Park, one of China’s most well-preserved imperial gardens, with a guide during this private tour where you can choose to wear traditional Hanfu clothing. Along with the trip to the park, you’ll stop by the Houhai Lake area to learn about the region’s history before hopping aboard a boat at Shichahai Scenic Resort for a cruise. This guided tour from Beijing includes round-trip transport, a meal, and five photos from the day to take home as souvenirs. Please note: When booking, specify your height and weight if you'd like to dress in provided Hanfu attire.

See the spectacular sights of Beijing according to a personalized itinerary on this full-day private tour of the city. Accompanied by a private and knowledgeable guide, tailor your tour according to which landmarks interest you most; perhaps see the ancient mystery of the Forbidden City; venture to the iconic Greet Wall; or admire the exquisite exterior of the Lama Temple. Follow your guide around the narrow alleys and ambient streets of the city to purchase special souvenirs, or sample some sumptuous street food in bustling markets.

Make the most of city sightseeing on this private 7-hour tour of Beijing, which includes a visit to must-see attractions like the Panda House of the Beijing Zoo, Summer Palace, and a cruise through Purple Bamboo Park. Your guide will provide in-depth information about each site's history and significance and will handle all transportation, planning, and logistics so you can just enjoy your trip.Note: The boats from Purple Bamboo Park to Summer Palace are closed for upgrading from September 6, 2018. Your will be offered alternative option in driving along part of the Imperial Waterway and ride an electrical boat inside the Summer Palace to have an in-depth tour of the Kunming Lake.

Take a private customized tour of Beijing that includes transportation, and have the option to go with a knowledgeable local guide or travel on your own. You'll have a private vehicle with a professional driver, and a customized itinerary planned prior to arrival. A tourist map and itinerary suggestions are included to help you decide how to spend the day. If something captures your attention en route, stop and check it out. The half-day tour can visit top city attractions, while the full-day itinerary allows time to visit the Great Wall and other key sites.

Delve deep into Beijing’s rich culture on this 8-hour private experience. Admire the UNESCO-protected Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park, and Drum and Bell Towers; and explore the ‘hutong’ neighborhoods of courtyard homes and narrow lanes by foot and rickshaw. View a courtyard home, take a lake cruise, and savor an imperial-style lunch. Plus, learn a traditional craft like paper-cutting at a family home. Entrance fees, private transport, and central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Hit the highlights of Beijing without the hassles of planning on this multi-day private sightseeing trip. Customize your own itinerary: choose between ten different destinations, from the Giant Pandas at Beijing Zoo to centuries-old royal mausoleums at Ming Tombs. You’ll also cover classic standbys like the Forbidden City and the Mutianyu Great Wall, which you can experience by toboggan or chair-lift ride.

See Beijing’s historical treasures on a full-day private tour with a customizable itinerary. In the morning, your guide shows you through the impressive Forbidden City complex and monumental Tiananmen Square. Have the option to customize your afternoon city tour by choosing from the following attractions: Summer Palace; Temple of Heaven; Yonghe Lamasery and hutongs; or Jingshan Park and Beihai Park. Travel in a comfortable private vehicle and learn about Beijing’s history and culture from your informative guide as you see some of the city’s top sights.

Combine sightseeing with shopping on a private 8-hour tour of Beijing. With a private guide, you’ll choose between top Beijing attractions such as the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) and Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang), and visit the best of Beijing’s shopping streets and souvenir stores. Lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Delve into the backstreets of Beijing on a 6-hour walking tour that reveals sights off the beaten path. Begin at the Red Building of old Peking University where students started the May Fourth movement in 1919. Meander along Wusi and Wenjin streets, passing the Forbidden City moat, Beihai Park and Zhongnanhai Lakes. Arrive at the majestic old palace buildings that hold the National Library of China. Then visit the North Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Saviour) and walk around the hutongs before ending your tour.

Explore Beijing on a full-day tour that starts at the Temple of Heaven, an important ceremonial site for the Ming and Qing emperors. You’ll also get an intimate experience of old Beijing during a rickshaw tour through the hutongs, followed by lunch with a local family in a traditional home and a tea ceremony inside the Bell Tower. Take in the scenery of Beihai Park and Jingshan Park, then visit one of the world’s most important Tibetan Buddhist temples, Lama Temple (Yonghegong), home to a huge sandalwood Maitreya Buddha statue.

Break through the language barrier and get to the beating heart of Beijing on this classic city center walking tour with a private guide. Start at the mighty Tiananmen Square then explore the Forbidden City and soak up the views from Jingshan Park. Finish by strolling Beihai Park, Back Lakes, and some classic Beijing “hutong” alleyways.